Luxury Resorts and Hotels in Panama

Panama is a country which is known for its natural splendor. Whether it is miles of pristine white, sandy beaches or stretches of lush green rain forest areas, there is nothing to beat the sheer variety on offer in this beautiful country. The natural beauty of the country brings in hordes of tourists and people who want to retire in Panama to this country each year. With millions of tourists thronging Panama, it is not surprising that you can find many luxury resorts and hotels in Panama.

Most of the luxury resorts in Panama are located along the coast. Almost all of them offer spectacular views of the ocean. Moreover, the lure of the sun and a variety of water sports is another factor that drives tourists to these sea side resorts and hotels. It is for this reason that most of Panama luxury resorts are located along the waterfront facing the scenic view of the blue Pacific Ocean.

Apart from the beaches, vast stretches of rain forest are another major attraction in Panama. In fact, it must be among the few places which offer this unique combination of attractions. You can find many luxury resorts in Panama within these rain forests too. They offer a romantic getaway, which you will cherish for your lifetime. One good example for one such getaway is the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, located in the Soberania National Park Rainforest. With the Panama Canal and the Chagres River nearby, this resort is ideally located to discover some of the most beautiful places in Panama.

Another one of the well known luxury resorts in Panama is the Playa Bonita Resort and Spa. Nestling amidst sun, sand and surf, you can soak in beautiful views of the sunset and sunrise from the elegantly decorated rooms of this magnificent resort. The views of Pacific Ocean from this resort are what make it a favorite with tourists arriving from around the world.

The Playa Blanca Resort with its own private beach is another one of the luxury resorts that is very popular here. The lush tropical vegetation that surrounds the resort is something that is to be seen to be believed. The exotic gardens and the impressive architecture, make it a perfect place to drive away all blues, relax and soak up the sun.

With Panama slowly becoming a popular tourist destination, it is always recommended that you book your accommodation well in advance. Most of the Panama luxury resorts offer online booking facilities which you can use to book. A simple online search can put you in touch with booking at most of the luxury resorts and hotels in Panama. Check out other articles on this site to read about all of the resorts and hotels in Panama.

Photos Courtesy of Instituto Panameno de Turismo

Playa Bonita Hotel and Resort in Panama

If you are searching for beach resorts in Panama, I can recommend another luxury resort in Panama besides the Playa Blanca Resort Hotel, called the InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa, a 5 star resort on the Pacific side of Panama. This luxury resort in Panama opened in 2006. It is located on a peaceful private oceanfront. All inclusive resorts packages are available at the Playa Bonita Beach Resort from the Sunwing travel company and others.

The Playa Bonita Resort is just 20 minutes west of Panama City (16 kilometers from Panama City center, 40 minutes away from Tocumen International Airport (PTY), ten minutes from the Marcos A. Gelabert, the domestic airport, 15 minutes to the Panama Canal’s visitors center in Miraflores locks and a half hour to the de Summit Golf Course. So, it’s a good location for those wanting to experience much of what Panama has to offer on their Panama vacation. In addition, this beach resort in Panama offers excellent spa services. At this resort in Panama, you will get a beach resort atmosphere, close to downtown Panama, close to the historical district of Panama and close to that engineering marvel, the Panama Canal.

Surrounded by the Punta Bruja Nature Reserve, 20 acres of tropical with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, the Playa Bonita Resort offers vacationers a natural secluded setting of a private beach from which to watch the sunrise over the Pacific, explore nature, experience great services and the chance to get to know all that Panama offers its visitors to the country.

In the distance you can watch the ships queuing up to enter the Panama Canal. If you are going to explore the surrounding forests, don’t forget to bring insect repellent. The beach is lovely for walks along the sea. The Playa Bonita Resort is large and there are five free form swimming pools.

The Playa Bonita Resort has 300 Deluxe Rooms, of which 15 are one bedroom suites and two are Presidential suites. There are three Restaurants and a Lobby Bar and 24 hour room service dining and the Club InterContinental Lounge. A concierge and guest relations service, laundry and valet service, a gift shop, multilingual staff and a heliport are available if you desire. There is a poolside bar by one of the five free form pools. Your rooms, designed with a touch of ethnic Panamanian style, with rich wood décor, provide all the modern comfort and amenities you could desire such as 36-inch TVs with pay-per-view movies, VCRs, wireless Internet, direct-dial phones with voice mail, in-room printer and fax, mini bars and coffeemakers. The beds are comfortable, the rooms with great ocean views, are nicely designed with tiled floors and there are robes, slippers, hair dryers and plenty of toiletries for your use.

About dining at the Playa Bonita Resort. As already briefly mentioned there are three restaurants at the resort. There is formal indoor and outdoor dining and casual dining by the poolside. Gourmet chef John Haueter will even whip up something should you wish a culinary delight served in your hotel room.

Now, about the Spa at the resort. The air conditioned gym has a view of the ocean, featuring lots of modern exercise equipment, a free steam room and Jacuzzi. Definitely take advantage of this and stay in shape! The Bonita Del Mar Spa offers such delightful services of an outdoor massage, seaweed wraps, facials, soothing stress relief therapies.

Activities conducted from the hotel include 18 hole par 72 golf at Tucan Club championship golf course minutes away from the Resort. Daytrips can be arranged for tours of the Panama Canal, Panama city’s historical district. You can visit the Gamboa Rainforest Aerial Tram which is 45 minutes away. There is a wildlife observation safari day trip on the Panama Canal shores, salt water fishing trips forTuna, wahoo, sea bass, marlin, sail fish, mahi-mahi. Sailing and boat trips are available to Pearl Islands. Visit an Embera Cultural village and experience the life of Panama’s native peoples. Tropical bird watching is splendid for bird watching enthusiasts.

The Playa Bonita Resort is one of the finest luxury hotel resorts in Panama you could choose stay with that offers you a taste of all that Panama has to offer its visitors.

Cheap Hotels in Panama Part 2

I’ve given my readers in Part 1, a list and description of some of the best cheap hotels in Panama as an introduction. This posting continues on the subject of finding discount hotels in Panama. It is very possible to find some good budget hotels in Panama if you are not looking for a resort type of holiday and don’t need absolute luxury. If you are searching for a cheap hotel in Panama, read on and be sure to check out the hotels mentioned in my first article.

Aramo Hotel


In Panama City, at Brasil Avenue and Abel Bravo you will find the Aramo Hotel. This hotel features a business center, high speed internet connection, a fitness room, a swimming pool, cable TV, room service, mini fridge in the room, parking and is handicap accessible. There is the service of a concierge and an airport shuttle available. Pets are allowed. Situated in a residential neighbourhood, it is only 10 minutes away from the Atlapa Convention Center, in the banking district of Panama and the Via Espana where you will find great shopping. All of this will cost you only $70 US per night for a single or double room. Add $10 per additional person. Reservations can be made for this inexpensive hotel in Panama on their website at AramoHotel.com.


Tower House Hotel

The Tower House Hotel in Panama City is located at Calle 51 and Bellavista N. in Panama City. It is centrally located in the banking and commercial district of the city. It is close to the shopping on the Via Espana. The hotel features a business center, high speed internet connections, room service, a fitness center, a restaurant, a swimming pool and airport shuttle service. The hotel has disabled access and breakfast comes with the price of the room. You can bring your pet as the hotel allows pets. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. The hotels rooms will cost you approximately $66 US per night. Reservations for a hotel room can be made online at their website at Towerhsuites.com, but unfortunately, their website is only available in Spanish so get someone to help you with the translation.

Andino Hotel

Next on the list of cheap hotels in Panama City is the Andino Hotel situated at Avenue Peru and Calle 35. The hotel is in the banking and business center of Panama City, close to great shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Single rooms will cost you $45 US and a double room will cost $55 US. There are 40 rooms in total, bright and spacious rooms. There is a business center for the business traveller, with a meeting room which seats up to 120 people. Services available at the hotel include parking, high speed internet, room service, a fitness room, a restaurant, a swimming pool, airport shuttle service, and pets are allowed. The hotel is handicap accessible. There is also a restaurant called the Cartagena serving local and international foods, service is friendly and the restaurant is clean. You’ll also find a bar at the hotel. You can’t go too wrong with that. Although you can’t book online for this discount hotel in Panama, they do have a website at HotelAndino.net and you can email them to inquire.

Veracruz Hotel

The Veracruz Hotel in Panama at Avenida Perú Y Calle 30 goes for about $73 US per night. Again, its another hotel in Panama City located in the downtown business district. It features all of the same as the above mentioned hotels such as a business center, high speed internet access, room service, exercise room, a restaurant, swimming pool, cable TV, and safety deposit box. However, you may find the hotel a bit too noisy for getting a good night’s rest. People’s experience of the hotel varies, but you must remember that you usually get what you pay for. You can always try the hotel yourself for one night and if it is not satisfactory, you can check out the next day and try another hotel. There are many to choose from.

Roma Plaza Hotel

On the Avenue Justo Arosemena and 33rd Street you will find another budget hotel in Panama called the Roma Plaza Hotel. The rooms run about from $66 US for a single to $77 US for a double. You will find all of the same amenities as mentioned with the other cheap hotels in Panama above. They have plenty of halls for meetings or weddings or banquets which seat from 12 to 200 people. Again, some guests have complained about the noise levels, but this seems to be a common problem in many of the hotels in Panama except for luxury hotels or resorts in Panama. Remember, you get what you pay for and this is not North but Central America. For some of the same prices in North America you will find the same quality hotels. Some of these hotels in Panama are even nicer than those for the same price in Panama. However, you will find this hotel has a nice pool on the roof top and breakfast is also included in the total price. They offer an airport shuttle but it is cheaper to step outside and grab one of the many taxis just dying to take you to the airport. The Roma Plaza Hotel is in a good central location in the business and banking center of Panama City, close to great restaurants, nightclubs and casinos. You can book online at their website at hotelromaplaza.com.

Marbello Hotel

In the district of El Cangrejo, you will find the Marbello Hotel on Calle D. The rooms rates are as follows for this discount hotel in Panama. A single room starts at $50 US and a double will cost you from $55 - $75 US. Rooms, of course, are simple, clean, basic with comfortable beds and air conditioning. There are no safes in the hotel rooms. If you want a fridge in your room, it’s going to cost you $5.00 more per night. Internet access will cost you $2/hour for internet access but you could pop across the street to the internet café and pay only 75 cents an hour. Other amenities for the guests of the Marbello Hotel include laundry services and a restaurant. You can reserve a room online at the Marbello Hotel website at Hmarbella.com.

If you are not expecting luxury and perfection and just looking for a place to rest your head while on your vacation in Panama and see all the sites, these budget hotels in Panama are great choices, clean and remember, for the most part, basic. If you want luxury accommodations you could try booking at the InterContinental Miramar or the Hotel Marriott. But you will pay the price of a luxury hotel in Panama, like anywhere else in the world. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a resort in Panama, check out some of the resorts in Panama such as the Royal Decameron Beach Resort or the Playa Blanca Beach Resort. Whatever hotel or resort in Panama you decide to stay in is going to give you a different experience and a different perspective of the Republic of Panama. I have only been able to mention several of the many discount hotels in Panama in my two articles on the subject on this site. As you can see, there are quite a few good cheap hotels in Panama for you to choose from for your vacation.

Cheap Hotels in Panama

I’ve been looking at the prices of hotels and resorts in Panama recently as I am planning my next escape to Panama as soon as the bad winter weather comes this way. Due to the high price of oil these days, it seems that there are not too many bargains to be found. So I’ve been researching cheap hotels in Panama to see exactly what is available. I’m always looking for bargains like many other people and when I find a bargain, eureka! I’m so ex-cit-ted!

Most of the hotels in Panama City I have written about so far on this blog are priced from the mid to high range. Luckily, there are a lot of different hotels in Panama to suit any budget. You can choose a hostel if you like, such as La Casa de Carmen where the atmosphere is fun and the price is right. If you would prefer a step up from hostel accommodation, there are many other hotels or apartment hotels in Panama City to choose from.

There are actually really cheap hotels in Panama City starting for as low as $25 US or less a night that can be found in the neighbourhood of Curundu, but it’s an extremely impoverished area in the City of Panama. Another area you could try would be the district of Caledonia which is somewhat improved and you can find some bargain hotels there for about the same prices and higher.

In the center of Panama City, you can book a double room for $65 US at the Centrum Tower Hotel. It’s a new hotel, basic and clean. They have a website at Centrumtowersuites.com where you can check out pictures of the hotel and make reservations by phone, fax or email. The Centrum offers all the usual amenities that you would find at any hotel – such as cable TV, air conditioning, queen sized beds, safes for your valuables, etc., etc.

Another good choice is the Centroamericano Hotel at Avenida Ecuador and Arosenena with single rooms starting at $33 US per night and double rooms for $38.50 per might. Again, it’s a clean, safe hotel in Panama with all the usual comforts for its guests that higher priced hotels offer. Just don’t expect luxury class when you are paying for basic, but I don’t want to scare you off. The Centroamericano has a website which you can check out for further information and see if it would suit your needs. The website is at hotelcentroamericano.com



On the forested hills of Panama on the Ancon Hill, you could try the La Estancia Hotel which is akin to a bed and breakfast type of accommodation (it used to be a home). It’s not far from the Panama Canal, which is a great location if you are going to visit the Panama Canal. It’s also not far from the downtown area but staying at this hotel will necessitate that you take a taxi quite often, even to a restaurant. The terraces of the hotel will give you great views of the Bridge of the Americas and Panama City. The rooms are somewhat modest, but comfortable, clean and the staff is very friendly and treats you as if you were a staying at a 5 star hotel in Panama. This means: great service! For two people during the off-season, the price is $89.00 per night and in the high season, it’s going to cost you $99 US for two people for a night. However, you may find it more peaceful in the natural surroundings of La Estancia on Ancon Hill where you can see the monkeys and exotic birds rather than staying in busy bustling downtown Panama.

I’ve only written about a few of the cheap hotels in Panama you could stay with on your vacation. There are many more options for you if you are travelling on a budget and want a budget hotel in Panama City and I promise that I will write about as many as I can in a later posting.

Til later… Veraz